Monday, September 21, 2009

NASA Glenn: Push to Moon could launch new glory days

For the first time in more than a quarter-century, a new space vehicle stands ready in NASA Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building in Florida. The final segments of the Ares I- X rocket, including the simulated crew module and launch abort system, were stacked on Aug. 13 on a mobile launcher platform, completing the 327-foot launch vehicle and providing the first entire look of Ares I- X's distinctive shape. The Ares I- X flight test is targeted for Oct. 31. [NASA]

John MangelsCleveland.com

On Oct. 31, if all goes well, a group of engineers and managers from Cleveland's NASA Glenn Research Center will gather in south Florida control rooms to watch a rocket they helped design and build soar into the early morning sky.